Guillermo del Toro is a master of gothic horror and the macabre, but there’s also often a flair of romance to his works. In fact, one of his most critically acclaimed films, The Shape of Water (2017), centers on a monster-human relationship. Between that movie and his recent decision to cast Jacob Elordi as Frankenstein’s Monster in Frankenstein (2025), it almost seems he intends for audiences to find some of his monsters hauntingly beautiful or dashing.
Some of his monsters naturally draw attraction, within reason, of course. If you say you find the Pale Man (Doug Jones) from Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) hot, you might get side-eyed a bit, but if you admit Elordi’s Monster is hot, other viewers kind of get it. Viewers can use our guide to find out where to watch the hottest del Toro monsters, ranked by how acceptable it is to admit their hottness.
8. The Faun - Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
The Faun (Jones) in Pan’s Labyrinth is a mysterious humanoid creature with a goat-like appearance. For some, his appearance is deeply creepy and unsettling. Despite the uncanny nature of his appearance, there is, arguably, a haunting beauty in his milky-white eyes, reverse aging, and his seeming oneness with nature. There’s no denying he’s sort of a majestic creature, though he seems so uncanny and far from human that few will equate the haunting/majestic elements with hotness.
Pan’s Labyrinth is also one of the greatest fantasy horror movies ever made. The whole film is riddled with that haunting beauty, playing out like an adult fairy tale that poignantly captures real-life horrors. Fans of dark and thought-provoking dramas, like Let the Right One In (2008) or del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone (2001), will especially enjoy Pan’s Labyrinth.
7. Smaug - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Del Toro served as a writer and producer for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and, thus, played a role in designing the dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch). Some viewers will find Smaug scary, but others will find him a little bit sexy. Intelligent, rolling on top of a massive pile of wealth, and speaking in the deep, echoy, brooding tone of Cumberbatch, one can understand the attraction. At the end of the day, though, he is an enormous, fire-breathing dragon, and human-dragon relationships are pretty taboo.
However, sexy Smaug is just one reason to watch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, which boasts a breathtaking scale and riveting high-fantasy adventure. It dials up the action and excitement from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) and offers a slightly fun, playful tone, making it an excellent alternative forLord of the Rings trilogy fans seeking something less dark and serious.
6. Hellboy - Hellboy (2004)
Ron Perlman portrays the half-human, half-demon titular protagonist in Hellboy, where he serves as a supernatural investigator. He’s taller and more muscular than the average human, with shaved-down horns protruding from his head, red skin, and yellow eyes. Although his demonic heritage is impossible to miss, he still looks more humanoid than the Faun or Smaug. Additionally, he’s really a good guy underneath his gruffness and temper. Viewers who can’t resist “bad boys” will be intrigued by his dry humor and demonic roots.
Hellboy is an excellent blend of the fantasy and superhero genres. Perlman is fantastic and convincing as Hellboy, while the story seeks to humanize the character. The film has an awareness and sharpness to its storytelling that isn’t often found in superhero films, making it refreshing and emotional. If you like unique superhero movies like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) and Constantine (2005), you’ll love Hellboy.
5. The Amphibian Man - The Shape of Water (2017)
The Amphibian Man (Jones) is a humanoid amphibian who develops a relationship with a human, Elisa (Sally Hawkins), in The Shape of Water. The creature is tailless and bipedal, with gills, webbed hands, and beautiful blue patterns on its scales. He is also a complex and intelligent creature, capable of compassion and communication. Given that the story is about a monster-human relationship, The Shape of Water purposefully invites viewers to feel “okay” about admitting that The Amphibian Man is hot. However, he’s also unusual enough that his relationship with Elisa raises eyebrows.
The Shape of Water is one of del Toro’s most unique and mesmerizing tales. It’s a hauntingly beautiful story that seeks to humanize what viewers consider “other,” and engages them with its riveting, profound central romance. Viewers who enjoy movies that humanize otherness, like Splash (1984) and Edward Scissorhands (1990), will especially love The Shape of Water’s romance.
4. The Grand High Witch - Roald Dahl’s The Witches (2020)
Del Toro co-wrote and produced Roald Dahl’s The Witches, which features Anne Hathaway as The Grand High Witch. In her human disguise, the Witch is stunning, and some of that glamour even translates over into her bald, wide-mouthed, and large-nostriled witch form. She’s so confident and cruel, adorned in a gold snake dress that she channels Evil Queen energy and radiates a nightmarish, but majestic kind of beauty. While her witch form and child-hating mannerisms are quite unsettling, one can admit there’s a little bit of hotness to her villainy.
Roald Dahl’s The Witches is an excellent watch during the Halloween season, especially for families. It allows viewers to enjoy some creepy, dark witchcraft while balancing it with a heartwarming story about a boy hero and his strong, endearing grandmother (Octavia Spencer). If you love the lighthearted Halloween spirit of classics like Hocus Pocus (1993) and Halloweentown (1998), Roald Dahl’s The Witches is for you.
3. Frankenstein’s Monster - Frankenstein (2025)
Jacob Elordi plays Frankenstein’s monster in del Toro’s rendition of Frankenstein. Standing at 6’5”, shrouded in robes, and with unruly locks of hair framing his face, the Monster looks almost human at times. Even when one sees the ghastly, patchwork of deceased skin on his face, viewers can still also see Elordi’s sharp facial features through it. Then, there’s the gentleness of its voice and the tragedy of its story, which further humanizes him. While some might prefer the living Victor Frankenstein (Oscar Isaac) over the undead Monster, it’s understandable that some viewers will come away talking about the hot Monster.
Frankenstein is a lot like del Toro’s The Shape of Water in its desire to humanize and evoke sympathy for a monster. It’s deliciously dark and gothic, offering a vision of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein that’s distinct and powerful. The film is a must-see for fans of The Shape of Water.
2. Lucille and Thomas Sharpe’s Ghosts - Crimson Peak (2015)
Lucille (Jessica Chastain) and Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) are siblings in Crimson Peak, who are transformed into ghosts, though they were also fairly monstrous as humans. Despite their morbid tendencies, the pair is undeniably stunning in ghost form, glowing pure white, with splashes of crimson and the sharp facial features of Chastain and Hiddleston shining through. It’s hard to imagine two hotter, more hauntingly beautiful ghosts. They’re far more human and majestic looking than most entries on this list, and many viewers can look past the fact that they’re deceased.
Crimson Peak is a unique del Toro film, reveling in its gothic flair through a slow-burning pace. The costume designs and settings add to the movie’s dark beauty, which is quite a spectacle to behold. Viewers looking for something a little more meandering and subtly macabre than del Toro’s other work will love Crimson Peak.
1. Nyssa and Blade - Blade II (2002)
Blade (Wesley Snipes) is a half-human, half-vampire in Blade II, while Nyssa (Leonor Varela) is a vampire who joins forces with him. They may be vampires, but they look essentially human. Clad in black leather, wielding guns, with sunglasses and slick-backed hair, the pair are also exceedingly cool and suave, and clearly meant to attract attention. Vampires are arguably the most acceptable creatures to find hot and sexy, since film and media have been making vampires hot for decades, and some even consider them to be a sexual metaphor.
In addition to its hot vampires, Blade II offers another exciting blend of superhero and fantasy elements. Action-packed, visually appealing, and meticulously choreographed, it’s a fun, entertaining movie to watch, though it might not boast the depth of some of del Toro’s other works. Still, it’s a top-notch superhero movie for fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Universe.
